Divine Revelation "might be established," so as to render unbelief inexcusable. Of what vast importance, therefore, to the cause of Christianity are satisfactory answers to the following enquiries: 1. Do these professedly inspired historians irreconcilably differ in their statements; or do they on any important point decidedly contradict each other? 2. Can it be inferred from their history or conduct that they were guilty of any preconcerted or concealed design to impose upon mankind? If these queries can only be answered in the affirmative, then Christianity has no foundation, and we are left to wander without a guide "in endless mazes lost;" but if, after the most patient investigation, we can decidedly answer these questions in the negative, then the Christian has a solid rock on which to build his faith, and the unbeliever has no ground for hope, but every thing to fear. The Holy Scriptures, like pure gold, challenge the strictest test of impartial examination; yet how few there are who, in a proper spirit, and with patient perseverance give them a fair trial by searching their invaluable contents, and making the necessary comparisons, in order to arrive at a sound conclusion on the subject of their Divine authenticity! To help the candid and teachable mind, while engaged in this pursuit, to assist the Christian in looking unto Jesus," and to circulate the best antidote against the poison of infidelity, the present volume is published. If it be read without prejudice, and with a mind open to conviction, no fear is entertained as to the result; every such reader will be constrained to acknowledge, that the sacred text contains "truth without any mixture of error," and is "worthy of all acceptation.” Let it be always recollected, therefore, that in order to "mark, learn, and inwardly digest" these words of “everlasting life," undivided attention is essentially necessary. Very little (if any) benefit can be derived from reading the Scriptures with indifference: if we do not feel personally interested we shall only casually or slightly look at them, just as the heir to an immense estate would unconsciously, while he remains totally ignorant of his title or descent, pass over his paternal inheritance. To peruse the "heavenly gift" with the intention to turn it into ridicule must necessarily involve great guilt, and expose to imminent danger. Like the angels mentioned in 1 Peter i. 12. we must "look" with intense anxiety "into these things," or like the Bereans, who "searched whether those things were so," (Acts xvii. 11.) we must at least impartially be in earnest to receive instruction, and “hold fast that which is good." Happy will that person be, who reads with prayer and faith; — and the practice of reading a small portion regularly, at stated periods in every day, is recommended to our adoption by some of the wisest and best men that ever adorned human society. That the Christian system is worthy of its great Author, each Gospel, separately, affords ample testimony; but when combined, and blended together, in the manner here adopted, they form a tide of evidence so strong, and concentrate rays of Divine light so vivid, that they cannot fail to penetrate every mind, unenslaved by prejudice or passion, with the conviction, that none but God could disclose subjects so far above human contrivance, and leading to such practical and rational results. One distinguishing characteristic of the Sacred Scriptures (the Gospels especially) is, their majestic simplicity: there is no art, no embellishment, no fear of contradiction; and the very appearance of discrepancy, which sometimes, from wilful blindness or want of proper examination, may stagger a superficial reader, is not amongst the least of those inimitable and incidental touches, which stamp the sacred volume with internal marks of a revelation from God. -- we To comprehend more fully the design of this little work, the reader must steadily keep in view the words in Roman characters at the top of every page, as the whole of the analysis printed in italics has an immediate reference to those words. For instance, suppose we turn to page 30., we read in Roman capitals, "HIS HARBINGER OR MESSENGER JOHN THE BAPTIST · continued,” · may ask, whose Harbinger or Messenger? Immediately above we perceive " SACRED HISTORY OF JESUS CHRIST," therefore it means that John the Baptist is the Harbinger or Messenger of Jesus Christ. The word "continued” denotes that something is said respecting John the Baptist in the preceding page. On the same page (30.) we read in italics, “ A Descendant from Aaron,” meaning that the Harbinger or Messenger of Jesus Christ was a descendant from Aaron; and the six verses braced together, which immediately follow, (taken from Luke i. as inserted in the margin,) without reference to any of the other three Evangelists, point out that Luke is the only sacred historian who has recorded that circumstance; and every subsequent line or sentence in italics, together with the verses relating thereto, whether taken from one or more of the evangelical histories, until the commencement of a new subject (viz. "HIS PEDIGREE AS TO HIS HUMANITY"), refer to John the Baptist, the Harbinger cr Messenger of Jesus Christ. Presuming we then turn o page 287., we read in Roman characters," HIS ARREST," under the words "THE CLOSING SCENES OF HIS LIFE," (i. e. the life of Jesus Christ,) and in italics, drew his Sword, and wounded the High Priest's Servant, whom Jesus immediately healed," when we at once perceive, on examining the succeeding verses severally bracel to "Peter gether, and the chapters set opposite in the margin, that all the four Evangelists advert to the fact of the servant being wounded, but Luke gives the additional information that our Lord performed a miracle on the occasion, and restored the severed ear of the servant by the touch of his Almighty power. We are indebted to John for informing us that the weapon was wielded by "Simon Peter," and that the servant's name was " Malchus." By attending to the above remarks it is hoped that every part of the analytical view will be easily understood. Any attention to historical or chronological order will not, for obvious reasons, be expected; but in a publication of this nature it was thought indispensably necessary to enlarge a little on the subject of our Lord's Divinity, the knowledge of which can only be derived from the inspired oracles of GOD. The various passages of Scripture adduced, directly or indirectly proving the point, as well as the Supreme Deity of the Father, and of the Holy Ghost, are intended, if possible, to remove the honest, but groundless, scruples of those who hitherto have entertained doubts upon this very important article of our faith; hence this edition of our Lord's History commences with those parts of Holy Writ which relate" TO HIS DIVINE NATURE AND ETERNAL POWER AND GODHEAD." Here again we must carefully advert to the connection between the lines in Roman and italic characters. And as this book is designed more immediately for the family and the closet, no apology will be thought necessary for introducing a few verses from some of our best Christian poets on those most interesting events, the death, resurrection, and ascension of our adorable Redeemer. Finally, all unnecessary repetitions are avoided, and no pains have been spared to ascertain, that every syllable HIS OWN PUBLIC MINISTRY AND CHARACTER — continued. Said to be possessed by, or familiar with, the Devil Itinerated from one City and Village to another, preaching and healing Diseases, in Company with his Apostles and devout Women, who ministered to his Support Moved with Compassion for the destitute Multitude - He enjoins Secrecy upon the Monuments of his Mercy In the Temple he asserts his own Character and Dignity He pays Tribute to the Romans, to avoid giving Offence He is followed by a multitude into a Desert, many of whom The Reason of such Supposition His Interview with certain Greeks The End of his coming into the World He many Times miraculously escapes with his Life He travels from Galilee into Judea, and heals Multitudes 86 87 The Chief Priests and Scribes maliciously envious because 92 |